By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Experiencing tragedy or disaster brings trauma and, hopefully, healing to follow. After Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina, including the High Country, the various affected communities rallied to accelerate the healing process from the storm’s utter devastation.
In its own unique way, Blowing Rock Art and History Museum has jumped into the healing movement, including the introduction of its most recent special exhibition, High Country Visions: Watauga K-12 Educators. The exhibit runs through Dec. 29. Admission to the museum is free.
Adorning the walls of the Alexander Community Room on the second floor of the museum, the exhibit features the works of Watauga County art educators, including Alyssia Ruggiero, Ashley Tate, Courtney McWhorter, Dacia Trethewey, Elle Lowry, Genal West, Kelly Blake, Lindsey Postlethwait and Lori Hill.
More often than not, we see the work of the art educators’ students in the classroom and in art contests but are less likely to see the creative work produced by the art educators themselves, suggested Asher Davidson, Social Media and Digital Marketing Coordinator for BRAHM.
“This exhibit highlights, even celebrates the artistic contributions of local educators,” said Davidson. “They are talented individuals not only devoted to their students but also to their own artistic practices, enriching our community through both education and creativity.”
The BRAHM approach to fostering healing is multi-faceted.
“In the wake of Hurricane Helene, BRAHM is dedicated to supporting the rebuilding of arts education infrastructure,” said Davidson. “This exhibition is part of the Museum’s broader goal to foster resilience and growth through the arts, recognizing that creative education plays a pivotal role in the cultural and economic recovery of affected areas. Through this and future initiatives, BRAHM aims to provide platforms that uplift educators, artists, and students as they help our communities recover and thrive.”
The art educators’ exhibit is helping bring attention BRAHM’s specific initiatives to help the region recover, through education, including expressive art therapy workshops.
“The expressive arts therapy workshops have been through our education outreach program,” said Davidson, “spearheaded by education center director, Jennifer Garonzik and education outreach coordinator Kayla Reische. Those workshops are free to the public, started directly in response to Hurricane Helene. They help bridge the connections between the community members who may not otherwise have the opportunity to talk with each other and walk through the fallout and feelings resulting from the hurricane’s impact on their respective lives.
“Our participants cover a wide demographic of people who were victims,” Davidson added, “as well as first responders and people who witnessed the devastation firsthand while helping in the wake of the storm. As an institution, we see ourselves as reaching beyond our walls to foster community in any way we can. With the storm, we feel the best way we can help is to provide a space for these conversations as well as an outlet for creativity to help participants process and recover from the trauma.”
About BRAHM:
BRAHM’s mission is to curate, preserve, educate and inspire. Rooted in the creative cultures of Appalachia, BRAHM aims to cultivate a community that extends beyond its walls and region, positioning Western North Carolina as a leader in the arts. The 25,000-square-foot Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, known as BRAHM, opened its doors on October 1, 2011. Located off Main Street in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, BRAHM provides cultural enrichment by promoting the arts and Southern Appalachian heritage and history through educational programs, exhibitions and activities. The permanent collection of more than 600 objects includes works by Elliott Daingerfield, Maud Gatewood, Elizabeth Bradford, Mark Hewitt and other American impressionist and post-impressionist artists. Open year-round, BRAHM welcomes 24,000 visitors free of charge to experience 25 changing exhibitions. BRAHM also has an outreach education program that encourages arts education in local schools, daycares and senior centers. For more information, visit blowingrockmuseum.org.
